If the thought of your son or daughter not having a new pair shoes to start the school year isn't enough to make you send the child support check, perhaps a hold on your driver's license will. That may be the sad reality behind the success of an Illinois program that suspends deadbeat parents' driving privileges, as covered by the Chicago Tribune.
The good news, obviously, is that it seems to be working.
Since its implementation in 2008 as a partnership between the Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services and the Secretary of State's office, officials have secured more than $100 million in past due child support payments. DHFS sends warning letters to delinquent parents who also have a driver's license.
The Secretary of State suspends the driver's license of any parent who owes more than $2,500 in past due child support and doesn't take any steps to remedy the situation within 60 days after the letter is sent. It's not clear how long the suspension lasts or whether there is any way Chicago family law attorneys can intervene.
Dubbed the "Deadbeats Don't Drive" Law, the Secretary of State's web site provides a little more detail.
A circuit court may invoke the law if a judge rules that a parent is 90 days or more behind on child support payments, after which the clock starts ticking. If the parent meets his or her child support obligation before 60 days are up, then the court notifies the Secretary of State and the alleged deadbeat can keep their license.
Alternatively, DHFS also has the authority to notify the Secretary of State about a deadbeat parent, thus bypassing the court system. Talk to an Illinois family lawyer or call DHFS at (217) 524-2936 if you have any questions.
Related Resources:
- Deadbeat Parents Web Site (Illinois Child Support Enforcement)
- 21 Kids, 11 Mothers, 1 Father: Ways to Collect Child Support (FindLaw's Law & Daily Life Blog)
- Consult with an Illinois Family Law Attorney (FindLaw)
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